Twister.



A. B. RHOADBS.

TWISTER.

APPLIOATION FILED D30. 12, 1908.

Patedted Apr. 11, 1911.

4 sums-8mm 1.

A. E. RHOADES.

TWISTEB.

APPLICATION nun 1:30.12, 1008.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

4 ansMHnnr'r 4.

UNITED s rarns PATENT OFFICE.

ALONZO E. RHOADES, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER COM-PANY, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

TWISTER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .ALoNzo E. 'l-tnoamcs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of Hopedale, county of \Vorcester, State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Twisters, of which thefollowing description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is aspecification, like letters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to apparatus for spinning or twisting yarn, andis more especially connected with so-called twisters and it has for itsobject the production of various novel features of construction,arrangement, and operation, to be explained in detail in the subjoinedspecification and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

The twister which forms the subject-matter of this application isdesigned especially to enable the spindles to be driven by flat bands ortapes instead of the usual round bands.

I have herein made various improvements in the driving mechanism wherebythe power is transmitted from one point to another positively andwithout the use of belts or chains. As will appear hereinafter I havealso made certain improvements in the builder-motion whereby therotation of the builder-cam may be stopped manually when desired.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a twister embodying mypresent invention, taken at the end at which the power is transmittedfrom the cylinder to other parts, and showing the builder-motion, partlybroken out to save space. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through theframe, on the line 22, Fig. 1, looking toward the left. Fig. 8 is adetail of a portion of the builder-motion, to more clearly illustratethe means for normally maintaining the builder cam inoperativeconnection with the means for rotating the same. Fig. 4 is a transversesection through the frame, between two adjacent groups of spindles, onthe line 4-4, Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing two groups ofspindles, their driving bands, and the slack take-up for each band.

The box-like frame end A in which the gearing is protected and inclosed.the side rails B in which the twisting spindles C are Specification ofLetters Patent.

Application filed December 12, 1908.

Patented Apr. 11, 1911.

Serial No. 467,252.

rotatably mounted, the vertically-reciprocating ring-rail 1) providedwith suitable rings E, the lower, front delivery-rolls F, one at eachside of the frame, rotatably mounted in stands (lr on the top-board H,the top-rolls I, and the transverse-rods J having guide-eyes K for theyarn, may be and are all of substantially well known construction, eachspindle having an attached whirl L adapted to receive a flat or tapedriving band M. i

The spindle-driving drum or cylinder N extends lengthwise of the frame,as usual, but by reference to Figs. 2, 3, and i it will be seen that itis located at one side of the center of the frame, its shaft 0 inpractice being provided at one end with fast and loose pulleys, (notshown) of usual construction and forming no part of my invention.

Herein the spindles C are arranged in groups of four. as clearly shownin Fig. 5, a pair at the front of the frame being directly opposite theother pair of the group at the back of the frame, and an endless flat ortape driving band M for each group passes from one pair of spindles, atthe left, Fig. 5, across the frame, as at m, Figs. 4 and 5, around thesecond pair of spindles and back at m to the cylinder N and around thelatter to the sheave or roll 1. of the slack take-up device. From saidsheave the band is reversed, and leads over the cylinder, at m", butwithout touching it, to the first mentioned pair of spindles. The longrun we is in a vertical plane, but the run m is given a half turn, andthe run at is also given a half turn between the spindle at the left,Fig. 5, and the sheave 1. It will be noticed, however, that the two runsat and m are long, so that the twist or half turn is easily made andwithout any strain on the band.

From the direction arrows on Fig. 5, it will be clear that the severalspindles of a group run in the same direction, and at the same speed.

The take-up device for each band is located between the runs at and on,so that there is no interference with the band and the latter runsfreely and smoothly without any undue strain.

A single supporting bar of shaft P is provided for all of the take-updevices,

fixedly held at its ends in the ends of the main frame at a distanceabove the series of driving bands M. V

In order that the slack or stretching of the bands shall not interferevith the proper driving of the spindles it is necessary to maintain thebands taut and under a proper tension, and also to make provision fortaking up automatically any slack as soon as it occurs, and as each ofthe bands will vary in slackness or stretching it is necessary toprovide individual take-up devices, each one cotiperating with its ownparticular band.

The several take-up devices are mounted on the supporting rod P, and oneof said devices will be described in detail.

The sheave or roll 1 has journals 2 which are rotatably mounted inopposite bearings 3 formed in the ends of a yoke 4 having a hub 5 withits axis at right angles to the bearings, the latter being normallyclosed by caps 6 pivoted at 7 on the yoke.

Iprefer to make the journals 2 of tough wood thoroughly impregnated withalubricant, as thereby the use of oil in the bearings is obviated whilethe wear between the bearings and the journals is minimized.

The hub 5 receives the round shank 10 of a depending hanger 11, theshank being at an obtuse angle to the hanger, as best shown in Fig. 4,and by means of a set screw 12 the yoke 4 can be held at any desiredlateral position, the adjustment being made about the shank as a center.

A cotter-pin 13 is shown as retaining the yoke on the shank when the setscrew is loosened for purposes of adjustment.

The upper end of the hanger 11 is connected by a clamp-swivel 14 withthe lower arm 15 of a bent lever 15, 1G, bifurcated at 17 and havinghubs 18, to receive the supporting rod P.

By loosening the clamp-swivel the hanger can be swung to the right orleft, to the proper angular position best adapted for positioning thesheave 1, and the latter can be laterally adjusted on the shank 10 whenthe hanger 11 is in any one of its adjusted positions, giving a widerange of adjustment and great accuracy in positioning the sheave tosecure the desired cooperation with its band M.

The bent lever or carrier 15, 16 can rock on the rod P, and it is heldfrom lateral movement thereon by a collar 19, see Fig. 1, fixedly heldon the rod by a set-screw 20, the collar being interposed between thehubs 18, and as shown in Fig. 4 the neck 21 serves as a stop to limitupward movement of the arm 15, due to the weight 22 adjustably mountedon the arm 16.

The weight 22 is heavy enough to counterbalance the hanger 11 andconnected parts and to tend always to swing the hanger away from thecylinder N, so that the sheave 1 exerts a uniform and continuous pull onthe bight of the band passed around the sheave, the further out theweight on the carrier-arm 16 the greater the tension exerted on theband.

When a frame is set up the collars 19 are set in proper position on therod P, and any subsequent adjustment of individual take-up devices isgenerally effected by the lateral adjustment of its yoke relatively tothe hanger, and by the angular adjustment of the latter relatively tothe rocking carrier.

Having more particular reference to Fig. 2 the positive connections bywhich other parts of the twister are driven from the cylinder N will nowbe explained. The cylinder shaft 0 at its end within the box-like frameend A has fast upon it a pinion 23 in mesh with a large gear 24 havingits shaft 25 mounted in a bearing 26 adjustable on a radius arm 27loosely embracing the cylinder-shaft O and having its free end adjustably sustained by bolts 28 extended through a segmental slot 29 inthe frame end A, the gear 24 having an attached pinion 30. Said pinionmeshes with a shiftgear 31 carried by a bracket 32 adjustably held bybolts 33 on the frame-end A, the shift-gear being shown in Fig. 2 asmeshing with a much larger gear 34 which meshes with a like gear 35,said gears 34, 35 being symmetrically disposed with relation to thewidth and height of the main frame. Obviously the gears 34, 35 rotate inopposite directions, and at the same speed, and they in turn rotate thefront driving rolls F by meshing with the smaller gears F fixedlyconnected with the roll-shafts, so that the latter are driven positivelyfrom the cylinder N without the use of belts or chains, as is now usual.In the arrangement shown the yarn is led through the guide K over thetop roll I and down in front of it and then between the rolls I and F,but if it is desired to lead the yarn forward directly between saidrolls the shift-gear 31 is shifted to the right, Fig. 2, into mesh withthe gear 35, thereby reversing the direction of rotation of gears 34, 35and the drawingrolls F F.

By means of the radius arm 27 and the change-gear 24, and pinion 30thereon varia tions in the speed transmitter can be arranged without anyalteration in the cylinder-speed, as will be manifest.

I actuate the builder-motion from the cylinder, by means of the gear 36and connected pinion 37, Fig. 2, adjustable on a swinging arm 38 whichis held in the required position by cooperation of a clamping bolt 39with the frame-end, slotted at 40 for the bolt, the gear 36 meshing withthe cylinder pinion 23, while pinion 37 meshes with a large gear 41 faston a short'shaft 42, on

which the arm 38 is fulcrumed. This shaft also serves as a support for ahub 43 formed on the open head of an elongated sleevebearing 44, bestshown in Fig. 3, rotatably supporting a transmitting shaft 45 having atone end a worm 46 and at its other end a bevel-gear 47 within the openhead of the bearing and driven by a like gear 48 fast on shaft 42. Worm46 is adapted to engage and drive a worm-gear 49 fast on a shaft 50, seealso Fig. 1, supported in the end A and also by a bracket 51 secured tothe rail B, a traverse-actuating cam 52 and a hand wheel 53 beingfixedly secured to the shaft, the cam serving to actuate thebuilder-motion, to be described, said cam being shown as heart-shaped inFig. 2.

When winding back after a frame has been doffed the worm and worm gearreferred to are disengaged, and I have shown a novel device to lock thesaid parts in op erative engagement during the twisting action.

The bearing 44 has a forward extension 54 provided at its front end witha loophandle 55, and norn'lally the shoulder 56 of a latch 57 engagesthe lower edge of the extension and holds it in the position shown inFigs. 1, 2, and 3, with worm 46 in mesh with the worm-gear 49. Saidextension has an upright slot 58, see dotted lines Fig. 3, through whichpasses the shank of a bolt 59 rigidly attaching a bracket 60 to theframe end A, the extension being movable between said parts a distancedetermined by the length of the slot 58. The latch depends from a pivot61 on the front of the bracket, and when the latch-shoulder 56 is underthe extension 54 the latter is held up, as shown, and it is further heldup by the cam-end 62 of a combined supporting and releasing lever 63,pivoted at 64 on the lower end of the bracket 60, as clearly shown inFig. 3. To release the extension the lever 63 is swung to the left,Figs. 2 and 3, disengaging the cam-head from the extension, while thefree end of said lever wipes over the curved face 65 at the lower end ofthe latch, swinging the latter to the right, Fig. 1, and releasing saidextension so that the latter drops and disengages the'worm 46 from theworm gear 49.

While moving the releasing lever the operative grasps the hand wheel 53and lets it rotate slowly after the extension 54 is unlocked, to preventthe ring-rail from dropping too suddenly, for otherwise the weight ofthe rail and other parts would act upon the builder-cam 52 to turn itaround rapidly and the sudden drop of the rail might cause damage.

When it is desired to restore the parts to operative condition theattendant lifts the handle 55, raising the extension 54 to the positionshown in the drawings, and the latch 57 swings into locking position.Then the lever 63 is returned to normal position, with its cam-head 62engaging the lower edge of the extension, the worm 46 being held in meshwith worm-gear 49, the lever 63 acting as an additional lock in case thelatch should be accidentally thrown out of locking position.

The ring-rail I) has the usual attached and depending lifter-rods Rprovided at their lower ends with toes R which rest upon rolls S on theends of the rocker-arms S and S Fig. 1, attached respectively to theusual transverse rock-shafts T and T, shaft T having an upturned arm Tconnected by a link T with a similar arm T (shown only in Fig. 1) faston the rock-shaft T. As shown in Fig. 1 the latter has a fixedlyattached segment V to which is connected, as usual, a flexible member orchain V which passes over a guide-sheave V and down to a hook 66 on thebuilder-arm 67, provided with a follower-roll 68 coiiperating with thebuilder-cam 52, see Fig. 1. bar 69 is fixedly held at its outer end in abracket 70 on the frame end A, and its inner end is fixedly held in abracket 71 de pending from a cross-girt 72, Fig. 1, the bracket 71having a boss 73 in which is fixed the inner end of a fulcrum bar 7 4,supported at its outer end by a rigid arm 75 fast on the bar 69. Thebracket 71 and cross-girt 7 2 are omitted in Fig. 2, and also the sheaveV to avoid confusion. The builder-arm 67 has a long hub 76 mounted torock on the fulcrum-bar 74 between the boss 73 and a collar 77, in orderto provide a firm support for the builder-arm and to maintain it againstany twisting action. As the cam 52 rotates it acts upon the follower 68and effects oscillation of the builder-arm, the downstroke of the latterpulling on the chain V and rocking the shafts T, T to elevate thelifter-rods R and thereby raise the ring-rail D, the latter descendingas the cam permits the builder-arm to swing upward, as will be apparent.The reciprocation of the ring-rail effects the traverse of the yarn onthe bobbins (not shown) carried by the spindles C, in well known manner.

When an end breaks the corresponding spindle must be stopped while theend is pieced up, and such stoppage is effected by a spindle brake,which is adapted to be act-uated by the knee of the attendant, therebyleaving the hands free.

In Fig. 1 I have shown only one spindle provided with the brake, but itwill be understood that in practice each spindle will be provided with abrake, Theupturned arm 78 provided with a friction-pad 79 adapted tobear against the spindle above the whirl and thereby stop rotation, theseat 80 to rest upon the top of the spindle-rail B and made open toloosely embrace the base of the spindle-bearing, the bifurcated leg 81depending from the extension at its front and terminating in a broad andflat knee-plate 82 are substantially of usual construction.

Various changes or modifications may be made by those skilled in the artin different details of construction and arrangement of the apparatusherein shown and described without departing from the spirit and scopeof my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In apparatus of the class described, aset of spindles, a vertically-reciprocating ring-rail, a cylinder,driving bands between it and groups of the spindles to rotate thelatter, a builder-motion, including a builder cam, to control thering-rail a worm-gear rotatable with the cam, a swingingtransmitter-shaft having a worm movable into and out of mesh with saidgear, a train of gearing between said shaft and the cylinder, to drivethe shaft, a latch to lock the shaft in operative position, and manuallyoperated means to release the latch and thereby effect disconnection ofthe worm and worm-gear.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a

drivin 0 linder a shaft havin fast therea a g on a worm-gear and abuilder-cam, an inter mediate shaft, a train of gears between it and thecylinder, a sleeve-bearing mounted to rock on said intermediate shaft, atransmitting shaft in said bearing, provided with a worm to drive theworm-gear, gearing between the transmitting and the intermediate shafts,a latch to retain the transmitting shaft in operative position, andamanually operated device to disengage the latch when it is desired tostop rotation of the buildercam.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a driving cylinder, a shafthaving fast thereon a builder-cam and a hand-wheel, gearing between thecylinder and the cam-shaft, including a worm-gear and a worm to meshtherewith, a locking device to retain said parts in operativeengagement, and means to at will disconnect the worm and Wormgear, thehand-wheel at such time being manually controlled to govern rotativemovement of the cam-shaft.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALONZO E. RHOADES.

Witnesses JESSE D. BROMLEY, E. D. OSGOOD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G.

